What To Do: A Survival Guide for the Next 48 Hours by @ToonsBrian

To many fans, a five day stretch with no games in the middle of a
playoff season creates a bit of anxiety. A six day gap forces some fans to
compulsively eat while seven days results in thinning hair and finger nails
having been chewed to the point of bleeding. By the time the puck drops for
Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, nearly nine full days will have
passed.

Withdrawal is never pretty.

To this point, Pens fans have at least had other playoff series to help
stave off the hunger until the next round, with both Western Conference Semis
going the distance. The Chicago Blackhawks eliminating the Detroit Red Wings
has taken that pacifier away.

Even with continued hockey, Pens fans were getting antsy. The chirping
with the Bruins fan base became boring and uninspired. The latest tweets I’ve
seen involved complaints that Pittsburghers will boo Jagr and Bostonians will
boo Iginla. Riveting. Worse, Pens fans are turning on each other. Disagreements
concerning hypothetical situations to which nobody
truly knows the answer to end up in social media wars.

It is clear that if Pens fans are to survive the next 48 hours or so,
the question of “What do I do now?” must be answered. The following is a list
of healthy, realistic and legal
options to help get you through this critical period of time:

Sleep

There is no greater resource in this world than sleep. I can tell you
that as a father, as a husband and as a blue-collar midnight shift factory
worker. I’m sure that the members of the British Penguins Fan Club will agree,
as they stay up way past the average bedtime just to catch Pens games on a
regular basis.

According to researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard
Medical Schools, getting adequate amounts and quality of sleep can improve the performance of the brain's limbic system. This directly affects mood, reduces stress and
anxiety and ensures better overall health. Saturday’s 8:00 PM faceoff is a
little later than we’re used to seeing and, since it is the playoffs, a
multiple overtime affair is a
possibility. Rest up. Your parents will approve.

Family
Time

This week, Jarome Iginla took a day to go to Kennywood to pose for
pictures with fans and squeeze in some training ahead of Game 1. Of course he
didn’t.

Jarome is in the middle of what could be the best chance he has or will ever see
to win a Stanley Cup. Hockey is his job. The Cup is his dream. This is a
culmination of his life’s work. Yet,
he and many of his teammates have taken the time this week to make their
families a priority. We’re just fans.

My wife hates the hockey season because it absorbs so much of my
attention. Spending quality family time with them helps to alleviate some of
that. There are tons of things you can do, from playing board games to visiting
various World’s Largest…..stuff. Since we have readers from all over, here are
some:

Charcoal Grill in Magnolia, AR

Swedish Coffee Pot in Kingsburg, CA

Rubber Chicken in Collinsville, IL

Milk Bottle in Boston, MA

Hockey Stick in Real Eveleth, MN

Penguin in Cut Bank, MT

Donut in Yokumtown, PA

Watch
Some Classic Movies

Hockey fans – especially hockey fans outside of Pittsburgh – are hilarious.
The just love their conspiracies. Many
of the crazy conspiracy theories out there are centered completely around the
Pens. So why not watch some classic films to pass the time – and galvanize
yourself to some of the crazy stories we’ll be hearing over the next several
weeks – until Game 1. Of course, for added fun, imagine these films in a
Penguins-centered universe:

JFK
(1991) – Prosecutor Eugene
Melnyk, portrayed by Kevin Costner, attempts to expose Matt Cooke for his role
in the assassination of Marc Savard and attempted assassination of Erik
Karlsson.

All The President’s Men (1976) – Philadelphia and New York bloggers work to
expose President Bettman’s administration for its role in the Crosbygate
scandal.

The Matrix (1999) – A highly
sought-after free agent in a social media driven universe must decide his path
after tricking an entire city into accepting the blue pill and retiring to
their own dream worlds.

Be
Charitable

Oh, hey. Look what I snuck into this article. You should take some of
the next 48 hours to check outHockeyKicksCancer.com. Hockey Kicks Cancer is a charity kickball event
run by our very own Stevie. While at the site, register to participate, to
attend or simply to donate to this great charity.

We here at PensInitiative.com are immensely proud of the hard work
Stevie puts into the event.

Some
Final Thoughts

It’s safe to say we’re all ready for the Eastern Conference Finals to
get under way. Unfortunately, obsessing over the fact that we have to wait is
the most counterproductive thing we, as fans, can do. There are plenty of other
things in our everyday lives that we can use as diversions from our frustration
with the NHL’s decision.

So while everybody else is watching the paint dry, try your hand at a new hobby. Go
out to a restaurant that you’ve not tried yet. Catch a Pirates game. Read a
book (They still make those and HBO even makes entire shows out of them from
time to time!). Fill a coloring book. Goshopping for game time necessities. Fix a leaky faucet.Trim the hedges.Bath the dog..........